6 of 918-inch wheels are standard on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG.

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7 of 9The cockpit of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG includes several sporty touches.

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8 of 9The instrument panel of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG.

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9 of 9The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG goes on sale in November.

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Mercedes-Benz's increasingly active AMG performance division has thrown its hat into the performance small sedan ring with this: the 2014 CLA45 AMG 4Matic, which starts at $48,375 after a debut at the New York auto show Wednesday. The car reaches North American showrooms in November.

The sedan shares its mechanical package, platform, styling cues and interior fittings with the A45 AMG 4Matic hatchback unveiled earlier this month at the Geneva motor show. But the A45 AMG is not planned to be sold in the U.S. market.

A third model, the GLA45 AMG 4Matic, will take AMG into the compact performance SUV ranks when it is revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

The CLA45 4Matic will get AMG's first 2.0-liter engine, a four-cylinder rated at 355 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. It works with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The powertrain is capable of propelling the car to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

The four-wheel-drive CLA45 AMG 4Matic is distinguished from less-powerful CLA models by a series of exterior changes, many of which Mercedes-Benz admits were aimed at providing the car with a clear resemblance to the more powerful CLS63 AMG 4Matic.

Included are a new front bumper with larger cooling ducts and gray highlights, a twin-blade grille insert, wider sills with gray highlights underneath the doors, a deeper rear bumper, twin chromed tail pipes and twin-spoke wheels.

The transversely mounted engine, known internally under the codename M133, is a development of the engine used in the CLA250 Sport. It receives a host of unique components, including a new twin-scroll turbocharger that runs at a maximum 26.1 psi of boost pressure, lightweight internal components and unusually low 8.6:1 compression ratio. The changes boost engine output by 147 hp to 355 hp at 6,000 rpm.

Torque is increased by 74 lb-ft over the CLA250 Sport to 332 lb-ft, available between 2,250 and 5,000 rpm.

The power flows through a standard seven-speed dual clutch AMG Speedshift gearbox and Haldex multiplate style clutch to all four wheels. The transmission has comfort, sport and manual modes, as well as launch and double declutching functions. It is based on the CLA's optional dual clutch unit but gets reinforced gear cogs and synchronizer rings with carbon fiber friction rings for added durability.

Mercedes-Benz has yet to announce a curb weight for the car. Official performance figures suggest it will run from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds, just 0.4 second slower than the V8-powered C63 AMG sedan. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Mercedes claims combined cycle fuel economy of 34.1 mpg on the European test cycle, which typically delivers higher numbers than the U.S. test.

The chassis uses a heavily reworked version of the CLA250 Sport's MacPherson strut and multilink suspension. It receives unique springs and dampers, additional camber and a reduction in ride height. As with the A45 AMG, buyers will be able to choose between two states of suspension tune: standard and sport. Both run standard 18-inch wheels and 235/40 profile tires.

The ESP stability control has been recalibrated for the CLA45 AMG 4Matic's added performance. The three-stage system provides a of choice of on, sport and off. Also included is a Curve Dynamic Assist function aimed at providing added agility without full stability control intervention.

Further chassis changes, including the adoption of stiffer steering knuckles and a unique ratio and software mapping for the electro-mechanical steering, are aimed at sharpening up responses.